Is that the sound of rats scurrying? It might be, because Colton Orr is back.

Yes, you read that right: He’s back. Back with the big club after having been written off by media and fans alike. Back for another shot at the NHL.

It’s hard to believe, really, especially after then-general manager Brian Burke uttered his now infamous words just over a year ago that seemed to be the death knell for the enforcer’s career.

Burke was lamenting the fact that he was shipping the big bruiser down to the Marlies. It was something he clearly didn’t want to do but the Leafs were gearing up for a playoff run that never materialized and Orr, who had played in just five games and fought only once last season, had been deemed obsolete.

“I’m troubled when a player with the character of Colton Orr can’t contribute in this league. I’m not sure I like the way things are going,” Burke had said at the time.

“I wonder about the accountability in our game and the notion that players would stick up for themselves and for each other … If we don’t have guys looking after each other the rats will take this game over.”

And with those words down went the now 30-year-old Orr to the Marlies where he played in 26 games, scoring one goal and compiling 46 minutes in penalties while trying to take on a leadership role with the younger players. Down to the Marlies where he worked hard to reshape his game, worked hard to make sure there was a place for him into today’s NHL.

He worked with Leafs skating consultant Barb Underhill to get lighter of foot and went to Connecticut to meet fitness guru Ben Prentiss to get lighter of body.

“Ben Prentiss was great. He really showed me a lot, changed a lot. Changed my eating. I have more balance in my body. Not too heavy, or too light. Strengthened my legs,” Orr said on Friday. “I really worked on my skating so I’m able to get on the forecheck and be good defensively so I’m first on the puck. I feel faster and stronger on my skates.”

And, for the time being at least, it appears to have paid off. Because there was Orr, out on the Air Canada Centre ice after final cuts had been made, participating in drills, kibitzing with teammates, apparently far from obsolete.

In the mind and heart of head coach Randy Carlyle, it seems, there still is a place on the team for someone with Orr’s unique skill-set.

“We want our players to be comfortable going out on the ice, and Colton Orr brings protection,” Carlyle said after the Leafs wrapped up their final skate before heading off to their season opener in Montreal on Saturday night. “He brings a good work ethic, he brings strong leadership qualities. All those things are a part of his makeup and he’s earned (another chance with the Leafs).”

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Orr, who, if all goes well, will play a consistent role on the fourth line, knows it will take more than fighting to not find himself stuck in the press box on most nights, or worse yet, back with the Marlies.

“I’m not changing my game,” Orr said. “I’m just trying to add to it. I’m always going to be the same player. Look after my teammates, fight. But I want to add to it. I want to be a checking forward and good defensively. Try to just be more of an all-around player.”

Things weren’t always this way for Orr, an avid boxer and fan of mixed martial arts. It wasn’t long ago he was an integral part of the New York Rangers checking line. And in his first season with the Leafs, in 2009, he played in all 82 games, compiling 239 minutes in penalties. Then things went south for the Winnipeg native after he was concussed in a fight with tough guy George Parros the next season.

Orr never seemed to recover, playing in just 46 games in total and looking somewhat out of place in the faster NHL before finally finding himself relegated to the Marlies. But he also he never gave up, never stopped believing.

“I was always an underdog. I was undrafted. I’ve always had to work hard to be in the league and I’ll have to continue to work every day to stay here,” he said.

Spoken like a true fighter.

MARLIES COACHES PRAISED

Defenceman Mike Kostka was, in the minds of some, one of the surprises when the Leafs’ final roster was announced Friday.

The 27-year-old Etobicoke native, who was third in Marlies scoring with six goals and 34 points before being called to training camp on Sunday, was one of eight defencemen the Leafs will be carrying when they head to Montreal for Saturday’s season opener.

Surrounded by a pack of media in the Leafs dressing room, a clearly elated Kostka credited head coach Dallas Eakins and the entire Marlies coaching staff for his success.

“He gave me every opportunity to play in all situations. Especially on the power player, he gave me full reign to use my creativity, which is a fun part of the game. He was great, always positive. I mean, the whole coaching staff, Gord Dineen, Derek King, they we’re all awesome from Day 1.”

Now it’s up to Kostka to be awesome and prove the Leafs they made the right choice.

“If I work as hard as I can and really leave it out there with every opportunity I get, then at the end of the day I’m not going to be upset at any outcome,” Kostka said.